The Illusion of Independence, BET Awards & Mara Brock Akil's Novel Debut

We're back live in the studio with a packed episode! We honor Dolly Parton's incredible legacy and impact on the culture, unpack the viral "spit in food" restaurant rumors, and welcome Comic Critic E-Man to talk Black Panther, Blade, Marvel theories and the state of Black superheroes in Hollywood. Plus: Angie Nixon, Hakeem Jeffries, Gary, Indiana's power crisis, Target's latest costume controversy, and a personal hair update following recent biopsy results. And don't forget: Head to SNL's Instagram, find the "Who Should Host?" post, and comment Joy-Ann Reid! Buckle up, cousins. We're going there!

We're diving into the chaos of modern relationships...your relationships, to be exact. You sent in your stories, and with clinical psychologist Dr. Adia Gooden, we're unpacking exes, red flags, self-worth, and even the bill-splitting debate. Honest, fun, and full of wisdom, this episode is here to help you navigate the wild world of dating.

New York Times bestselling author, Tayari Jones joins the Cousin Nation to discuss her fifth novel, Kin, and the power of chosen family. Plus, ICE agents are targeting Black people, the deal that died in the DMs, and why are Black superheroes disappearing from Hollywood?

New developments in the Nolan Wells case, Cheyenne is at it again...this time making headlines in regalia. Plus, Tuskegee is introducing a new student dress code, sparking conversations around campus culture, expression and professionalism. We're asking the question everyone is debating: Is Usher getting too close during fan interactions? And can you guess which singers could get Joy-Ann and Jacque on stage?

Malcolm-Jamal Warner is at the center of a financial feud as his widow fights to recover life insurance money, but now his mother is part of the conversation. Plus, Boosie says he lost $600K to Republican lobbyists while chasing a pardon that never came. And Van Jones sparks debate over his comments about the far left "pooping in the punch"…but have you heard about the poop on the lettuce?!

When did disagreement become disrespect online? We're unpacking the tension shaping today's digital conversations and asking whether Republicans are spinning narratives about their "dead homies," specifically Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell...or if the internet is simply fueling conspiracy theories. Plus, we're diving into our opinions on speaking in tongues: Is it a sacred spiritual practice, a deeply personal expression of faith, or just a performance?

It's being called the song of the summer…but have you heard the controversy behind it? What if you threw a party and no one showed up? America turned 250, but the celebrations didn't exactly go exactly as planned. A beloved bestseller, Children of Blood and Bone, faces a Hollywood battle, and friend of the show Mara Porter joins us to talk about her journey from broadcasting to becoming a beauty boss. We're live at 3PM EST. Tell a friend.

Are you watching The Polygamist yet? This week cousins, we're unpacking that cheating a$$ energy, the "illusion of independence," and our full breakdown of the BET Awards. Plus, we're also joined by Mara Brock Akil as she steps into a new era with her debut novel, The Revelation of Dionne Daphne, and we talk storytelling, legacy, and what it means to center Black women in this moment.

On this episode, we're examining what it truly means to protect Black women as violence against women continues to impact communities across the country. Plus, we're getting into this month's biggest conversations, from the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, to whether BET should honor Clive Davis, and a topic every woman knows all too well: when Aunt Flo refuses to say goodbye.